DO I QUALIFY?
An applicant must have lived in Laurens County for the past twelve months and meet three criteria to apply for housing:
- need for adequate housing
- the ability to repay a no-interest mortgage
- willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity
Housing Need
Applicants must demonstrate a housing need such as:
- Overcrowded conditions
- Unsafe or unsanitary conditions
- Substandard housing – with a leaking roof or windows, poor heating or lacking proper plumbing
- Unaffordable rent – paying a very high percentage of income for rent (more than 30% per HUD standards)
A home visit will be performed by Family Selection Committee members to verify a housing need.
Ability to Pay
Applicants must have appropriate affordability including:
1. U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
2. Income must be within the income guidelines for eligibility (See income guidelines below)
**The income limits required to be ELIGIBLE for the Habitat Homeownership Program are based on the number of people who would be living in the home. Our limits are below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Laurens County with incomes above the minimum incomes listed. The numbers listed are based on guidelines adjusted each year and defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These figures include many forms of income: employment, public assistance, Social Security, disability, child support, etc.
3. Ability to pay Buyer’s closing costs. Some closing costs are required to be paid prior to closing which include such things as recording fees, attorney’s fee, title insurance, and property taxes. The balance of the Buyer’s closing costs will be due at closing. This amount is generally around $2,000.
4. Have at least one year of steady, reliable and verifiable income. (can be employment, Social Security income or retirement income; food stamps are not considered; unstable employment is not considered)
5. Gross monthly income to support a Habitat for Humanity mortgage. Click to see how to calculate your income.
6. Underwriting decisions are based on income, debts and credit history of the borrower(s)
7. Bankruptcies and foreclosures must have been discharged at least 36 months and credit re-built
8. No outstanding judgements or liens
9. All non-medical charge-offs and/or collections of more than $2,000 will need to be paid off before a future homeowner purchases a Habitat house
Willingness to Partner
Applicants must contribute “sweat equity” which includes volunteering with Dublin-Laurens County Habitat for Humanity to build homes or work at Habitat events. Click to see sweat equity requirements.
